Indonesia’s Antam Sets 2025 Start Date for New Nickel Processing Facilities
In a move to bolster its position in the electric vehicle (EV) battery materials market, Indonesia's Antam has announced plans to commence the construction of two nickel processing facilities in 2025. This initiative is in collaboration with China's Ningbo Contemporary Brunp Lygend, marking a significant step in Antam's strategy to contribute to Indonesia's vision of becoming a key player in the global EV production landscape.
The partnership between Antam and the Chinese firm aims to create an infrastructure capable of supporting the burgeoning demand for EV battery materials. This collaboration entered its first phase in December, with a share sale involving two of Antam's nickel mining subsidiaries.
Current efforts are focused on the feasibility studies for a Rotary Kiln Electric Furnace (RKEF) plant and a High-Pressure Acid Leach (HPAL) plant. The RKEF facility is designed to process nickel into a form suitable for further use, while the HPAL plant will concentrate on extracting battery-grade materials from nickel ores. These studies are also evaluating the use of natural gas as a more sustainable power source for the HPAL facility, a shift from the coal-powered operations prevalent in Indonesia's nickel processing industry.
Nicolas Kanter, Antam's CEO, highlighted the importance of adhering to environmental, social, and governance (ESG) standards in this venture, emphasizing the global demand for responsibly sourced nickel. The projects are slated for development in East Halmahera, North Maluku province, within a designated industrial park.
